"Do They not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may Thus learn wisdom and their ears may Thus learn to hear? truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their hearts which are In their breasts." [al-Hajj: 46]

After spending more than twenty years of your life in school, it has come to this; you are a doctor. Fourth year of medical school was probably one of the greatest academic years of your life with a mixture of fun, travel, celebration and apprehension. Graduation may have left you feeling like you have forgotten much of what you learned in medical school. So, you’re a doctor. Now what?

Reflecting on this past year, I remember the swirling mixture of emotions about beginning residency. I had been a student all of my life. The drastic change of entering “the real world” in foreign territory was unsettling. Leaving my safe, familiar environment and heading into the unknown with new people and an anticipated paycheck seemed surreal. Such high expectations as to “save lives” felt intimidating. However, apprehension and insecurity slowly evolved to experience and confidence. Intern year has proven to be empowering and one of the most amazing years of my life thus far. I have learned not to be afraid of my pager every time it goes off. I survived shifts in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) alone. I experienced new emotions, and I found the value of a true friend who would listen after an especially horrible day. The most important learning came with the discovery of how to be comfortable in my own skin in my new role as a physician. I learned that I could handle almost anything, even if it meant just asking for help.

I can assure you that you will survive intern year and just maybe have some fun in the process. I want to inspire hope. As others have done before you, you will succeed. Here are five tips to keep you happy along the way:

Are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah more special than other days? What are the righteous deeds that it is recommended to do a lot of during these ten days?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Among the great seasons of worship are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, which Allaah has favoured over other days.

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” They said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah, unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2/457

It was also narrated from Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no deed that is better before Allaah or more greatly rewarded than a good deed done in the (first) ten days of al-Adha.” It was said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah, unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” Narrated by al-Daarimi, 1/357; its isnaad is hasan as stated in al-Irwa’, 3/398.

These texts and others indicate that these ten days are better than all other days of the year, with no exception, even the last ten days of Ramadaan. But the last ten nights of Ramadaan are better than the first ten nights of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because they include Laylat al-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months. See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 5/412.

So the Muslim should start these days with sincere repentance to Allaah, then he should do a lot of righteous deeds in general, then he should pay attention to doing the following deeds:

1 – Fasting

It is Sunnah for the Muslim to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged us to do righteous deeds in the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and fasting is one of the best of deeds, which Allaah has chosen for Himself as it says in the hadeeth qudsi:

“Allaah says: ‘All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1805.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. It was narrated from Hunaydah ibn Khaalid from his wife, that one of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashoora’, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 4/205 and by Abu Dawood; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2/462.

2 – Reciting tahmeed, tahleel and takbeer a great deal

It is Sunnah to recite takbeer (saying Allaahu akbar (Allaah is most great)), tahmeed (saying al-hamdu Lillah (praise be to Allaah)), tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (There is no god but Allaah)) and tasbeeh (saying Subhaan-Allaah (Glory be to Allaah)), during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, saying these words out loud in the mosques, homes, streets and every place in which it is permissible to remember Allaah, to perform this act of worship openly and proclaim the greatness of Allaah.

Men should recite out loud and women should recite quietly.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade), and mention the Name of Allaah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)” [al-Hajj 22:28]

The majority are of the view that the “appointed days” are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because it was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the appointed days are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah.

It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are no days that are greater before Allaah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of tahleel, takbeer and tahmeed during them.” Narrated by Ahmad, 7/224; its isnaad was classed as saheeh by Ahmad Shaakir.

The takbeer is as follows:

Allaah akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd(Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god but Allaah; Allaah is Most Great and to Allaah be praise).

And there are other versions.

This takbeer has become a forsaken Sunnah nowadays, especially at the beginning of these ten days. You can hardly hear it except from a few. It should be recited out loud, so as to revive the Sunnah and remind the heedless. It was proven that Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with them both) used to go out to the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, reciting the takbeer our loud, and the people would recite takbeer when they heard them, i.e., the people would remember the talkbeer and each one would recite it by himself; it does not mean that they recited in unison – that is not prescribed in sharee’ah.

Reviving Sunnahs that have been forgotten brings a great deal of reward, as is indicated by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever revives one of my Sunnahs that has died out after I am gone, will have a reward like that of everyone who does it, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 7/443; this hadeeth is hasan because of corroborating reports.

3 – Doing Hajj and ‘Umrah

One of the greatest deeds that can be done during these ten days is Hajj to the sacred House of Allaah. Whoever Allaah helps to go on Hajj to His House and do the rituals in the required manner will – in sha Allaah – be included in the words of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Paradise.”

4 – Udhiyah (sacrifice)

One of the righteous deeds that bring a person closer to Allaah in these ten days is to slaughter the sacrifice and to look for a good, fat animal and to spend money on it for the sake of Allaah.

Let us hasten to make the most of these great days, before the negligent regrets what he did, and before he asks to go back and receives no response.

~ Me ~

Ummu Hakeem Searching for the strength from the inside, Seeking for Guidance from the One who Holds the heart of the believers. Oh Allah, bestow Your Blessings upon us.

~ Ameen, ya Rabb! ~

"O Allah! [I ask you], by Your knowledge of the Unseen, and Your control over the creation: give me life as long as You know that life is best for me, and take me when death is best for me. O Allah! I also ask of You fear of You, in secret and in open; I ask of You the word of Wisdom and justice in anger and in pleasure; I ask of You moderation in poverty and affluence; I ask of You joy which does not fade; I ask of You pleasure which does not cease; I ask of You contentment with Your decree; I ask of You coolness of life after death; I ask of You the delight of looking towards Your Face; and eagerness towards meeting You, not in harmful adversity, nor in misleading afflictions. O Allah! Adorn us with the decoration of eemaan, and make us those who guide and are guided"

[al-hadeeth: Nasaa'i, al-Hakim]

Final Year Rotation & Exam

Family Medicine (Jan 2-Jan 22)Live GP OSCE: Jan 22, 2010

Orthopaedics (Jan 25 – Feb 12)Orthopaedic OSCE: Feb 12, 2010

Medicine (Feb 22 – April 2)Cardiology Long Case: March 5, 2010
Endocrinology Long Case: March 19, 2010
Respiratory/Haematology Long Case: April 2, 2010